An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.

Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

GOOD PRACTICES FOR COPING WITH AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION

Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers

Have an escape route and plan in mind

Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit

If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door

If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door

As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.

CALL 911 OR THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT AT EXTENSION 7777 OR (212) 650-7777 OR USE ONE OF THE COLLEGE'S EMERGENCY CALL BOX TELEPHONES WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY.

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life. Remember that customers and clients are likely to follow the lead of employees and managers during an active shooter situation.

EVACUATE

IF THERE IS AN ACCESSIBLE ESCAPE PATH, ATTEMPT TO EVACUATE THE PREMISES.

BE SURE TO:

Have an escape route and plan in mind

Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

Leave your belongings behind

Help others escape, if possible

Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

Keep your hands visible

Follow the instructions of any police officers

Do not attempt to move or treat wounded people

Call 911 when you are safe

HIDE OUT

IF EVACUATION IS NOT POSSIBLE, FIND A PLACE TO HIDE WHERE THE ACTIVE SHOOTER IS LESS LIKELY TO FIND YOU.

YOUR HIDING PLACE SHOULD:

Be out of the active shooter's view

Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)

Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY

IF THE ACTIVE SHOOTER IS NEARBY:

Lock the door

Silence your cell phone and/or pager

Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)

Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)

Blockade the door with heavy furniture

Remain quiet

IF EVACUATION AND HIDING OUT ARE NOT POSSIBLE:

Remain calm

Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter's location or if on Campus call Public Safety at extension 7777 or (212) 650-7777 or use one of the Emergency Call boxes located throughout the campus

If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE ACTIVE SHOOTER

As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her

Throwing items and improvising weapons

Yelling

Committing to your actions

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES

Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

HOW TO REACT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES:

Remain calm, and follow officers' instructions

Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)

Immediately raise hands and spread fingers

Keep hands visible at all times

Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety

Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling

Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

INFORMATION TO PROVIDE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR 911 OPERATOR:

Location of the active shooter

Number of shooters, if more than one

Physical description of shooter/s

Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s

Number of potential victims at the location

The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises. Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

REACTIONS OF MANAGERS DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION

Employees and customers are likely to follow the lead of managers during an emergency situation. During an emergency, managers should be prepared to:

Take immediate action

Remain calm

Lock and barricade doors

Evacuate staff and customers via a preplanned evacuation route to a safe area Assisting Individuals with Special Needs and/or Disabilities

Ensure that EAPs, evacuation instructions and any other relevant information address to individuals with special needs and/or disabilities

Your building should be handicap-accessible, in compliance with ADA requirements

RECOGNIZING POTENTIAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

An active shooter in your workplace may be a current or former employee, or an acquaintance of a current or former employee. Intuitive managers and coworkers may notice characteristics of potentially violent behavior in an employee.

Alert one or more of the following if believe an employee, coworker or student exhibits potentially violent behavior:

Human Resources Department

Student Affairs

The CCNY CARE Team (Crisis, Assessment, Response and Education Team)

Department of Public Safety

INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL VIOLENCE BY AN EMPLOYEE

Employees typically do not just "snap," but display indicators of potentially violent behavior over time. If these behaviors are recognized, they can often be managed and treated.

Potentially violent behaviors by an employee may include one or more of the following (this list of behaviors is not comprehensive, nor is it intended as a mechanism for diagnosing violent tendencies):

Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs

Unexplained increase in absenteeism; vague physical complaints

Noticeable decrease in attention to appearance and hygiene

Depression / withdrawal

Resistance and overreaction to changes in policy and procedures

Repeated violations of company policies

Increased severe mood swings

Noticeably unstable, emotional responses

Explosive outbursts of anger or rage without provocation

Suicidal; comments about "putting things in order"

Behavior which is suspect of paranoia, ("everybody is against me")

Increasingly talks of problems at home

Escalation of domestic problems into the workplace; talk of severe financial problems

Talk of previous incidents of violence

Empathy with individuals committing violence

Increase in unsolicited comments about firearms, other dangerous weapons and violent crimes

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